Saturday, July 4, 2009

Independence Day

Ah, July 4th. Midsummer is here, the BBQ is out, work is put on hold, fireworks are about to light up the sky and we are surrounded by friends and family. Life is good.

While we celebrate Independence Day today, I want to present a slightly different view on today. I was listening to some audio CD's by one of my favorite teachers, David Richo, about "How Relationships Work". He was talking about boundaries in relationships and said that if you think setting boundaries in relationships is selfish; remember it's no different than what our forefathers did on July 4th, 1776.

David's words really got me thinking and at the perfect time to.

I don't know about you, but this year's Summer Solstice has been particularly powerful and has brought about immense change in my life in the flash of an eye. And in the midst of this storm I'm reminded that all change is for my highest good, and when everything changes at once the hand of a power greater than me is responsible for the timing. Many people I know have been forced to recognize and address old habits, relationships and ways of living over the past few weeks that do not serve them anymore. Many dormant shadows have shown their presence so that the light of our awareness can rid them from our lives once and for all.

Now what does this have to do with July 4th you ask? Well I want to suggest, with the help of Mr. Richo, that after we have celebrated the boundaries and Independence of this great nation that we take a moment to make today our personal Independence Day as well.

Let today be the day that you declare to yourself that you have inalienable rights and have the courage to stand up to those in your life who convince you otherwise. If any of your relationships do not promote your right to "Life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness", do what we did in 1776 and draw a boundary. And like the Preamble says, if any relationship becomes destructive, it is your right to abolish it and create new relationships that promote Safety and Happiness.

A single act of defiance in the face of oppression created a whole new country full of new found possibility and freedom. And so it is with you, if you are feeling the need for your own Declaration of Independence, have the courage to stand up for what you need. Who knows what kind of new life and possibilities are out there just waiting for you to claim your right and acknowledge that you deserve a better life? What would of happened if our forefathers hadn't taken a stand? Where would that of left us?

If you are not in the flow of your happiness, then abundance, freedom, creativity, joy and love cannot be yours. And if you are not in alignment with belief that what you desire for yourself you also desire for others, then these gifts will also evade you.

All beings are created equal and deserve happiness. Claim your right to happiness and let go of trying to control the will others. Give them the space to find what they need and give yourself the room to do the same.

As they say in the program, "first things rights, live and let live, share your happiness, easy does it".

The examples of how to do this are all around you. It's up to you to claim your own happiness and release others to find this gift for themselves.